Another favorite source
I have a glorious source to feature this week! You may already know, if you’ve browsed our website, that I have formal training as a dancer. That disciplined, yet creative background informs all of my work as an artist. I have become acquainted with another dancer, Amanda Pearl, who has transitioned into the fashion industry. A former Pacific Northwest Ballet ballerina, she designs the most glorious accessories, perfect for brides, mothers of the brides and guests alike. An injury caused Amanda to exit her stage career a little earlier than expected, but she has created a new life that allows her to envelop herself in all the sparkle, color and elegance of the costumes she once paraded.
I spent an afternoon touring Amanda’s workspace recently. Greeting me in edgy sneakers, skinny jeans, striped shirt and a cropped black sequined jacket, that only she could pull off, Amanda quickly introduced me to the fluffiest, whitest and most darling Havenese mascot, Fidel. (Mental note: I need a fluffy mascot.) Creativity oozes from every corner of her studio. From the mix and match white work tables to the glass display cases of samples, every nook of the atelier is beguiling.
Many dancers, I for one, have used the services of Career Transition for Dancers to help plan a second or parallel career. The organization is one of the charities I support regularly. Here is a photo of three dancers turned entrepreneurs, wearing Amanda Pearl accessories at her Fall 2011 Fashion Week Cocktail Event last month.
Right to left: Me (dancer turned artist), Amanda (dancer turned accessories designer) showing her vintage crystal necklace, and Beverly Edwards (dancer turned Broadway company manager).
Photo: Amanda Pearl ©
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So nice!
Beautiful… I love dancers!
A tribute to Life after the stage. Amanda Pearl Brotman and Jane, our gracious internet host, came together on a Friday afternoon at the Amanda Pearl Studio in the concrete neighborhood of Murry Hill. Two veterans of the stage and the very best at standing tall on their tippy toes for prolonged periods of time in front of more than 50 people in one room, smiled, shared ideas, visions and stories about their life experiences. There is a life to be nurtured and grown after untying your Pointe shoes for the last time. Amanda Pearl, which Amanda owns and operates, is a luxury accessories house, specializing in two signature styles, the Roll Clutch and an Alessia Cage Clutch. You can find these items here: http://www.amandapearl.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=alessia and here: http://www.amandapearl.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Ap2+ Amanda is a great example for dancers everywhere seeking a life after the leotard.